Improvement in lap-boards



.w. r. MiTcnELL. Lap-Board. N0, 160,455, y Patented March 2,3875.

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UNITED STATES PATENT EEIoff-i WILLIAM FORSTER MITCHELL, OF LYNN, MASS., ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS HIS RIGHT TO HENRY W. FRENCH AND ALFRED R. PAYNE.

IMPROVEMENT IN LAP-BOARDS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 160,455, dated March 2, 1875; application filed October l5, 1874.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, IVILLIAM FoRsTER MITCHELL, of Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Writing-Desks and Work-Boards; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specifica y tion.

position of the table, as may be required, if

the flanged frame beneath is resting on the left, right, or both legs of the operator.

By the use of this my invention persons can write, draw, sew, or perform any light kind of work, as well as support books when reading, on my improved portable and ad justable table, and it may be especially' useful for reporters that have to write in places where ordinary tables or desks are not to be obtained. The upper surface of the board may be covered with leather, cloth, or suitable material, as may be desirable. For ordinary purposes the board may be made plain without any covering.

On the drawing, Figure 1 represents a ground plan of my invention; and Fig. 2 represents a cross-section on the line A B, shown in Fig. l.

Similar letters refer to similar parts wherever they occur on the dilferent parts of the drawing. f

a represents a flat board, that'may be provided on its upper sidewith projecting ribs b b b, if necessary. Beneath the board a is located a iianged frame, c d d, provided with projecting ribs or anges d d on two opposite sides, as shown. The distance between the angesd d may be such as to allow the operator to place one or both legs between said flanges. A pin, bolt, or screw, c, is inserted through the middle of the board a and the lap-rest c, in such a manner that the table a, may revolve loosely thereon, although the lap-rest remains stationary.

For ordinary purposes I intend to make the lap-rest o d d wide enough for one leg only, although it may be advantageous for some purposes to make it wide enough for both legs.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The flanged lap-rest c d d is placed in the lap of the operator so as to embrace one or both legs, Where it will remain firmly in such a position. The writing or Work board can then be easily revolved around the pin e to any desired position, according to the nature of thc work that is to be executed thereon.

This my invention is a great improvement on ordinary lap-boards, as it can be supported firmly on one leg only, and can be easily rotated around the central pin to any desirable position.

.Having thus fully described the nature and operation of my invention, I wish to secure by Letters Patent, and claim- The portable Writing or work board herein shown, consisting of the flanged lap-rest c d d, revolving board a, and hin ge-pin c, all arranged and constructed substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own invention I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

W. FORSTER MITCHELL.

Witnesses: Y

ALBAN ANDREN, HENRY W. FRENCH. 

